Social Emotional Learning Sparks Concern Among MA Parents

MFI recognizes the challenges that Massachusetts parents face in overseeing their children’s education. To support them, we stay informed about developments in K-12 public schools and provide parents with information on how to protect their kids from harmful agendas. One prominent and concerning issue in education today is Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Many parents have questions about what this increasingly prevalent concept means for their school district and their child. While some parents are rightly troubled about SEL, others are unclear about the objections to what seems to be a beneficial focus on social and emotional skills. To help address this confusion, we have answered some common questions.

Why are parents concerned about SEL? Despite its nice-sounding name, parents have real reasons to object to SEL instruction. SEL lessons shift the emphasis from education to emotions, a change that many parents view as neither healthy nor appropriate for public school classrooms—especially given that many schools are struggling with teaching basic reading, writing, and math skills. But more than that, SEL is a trojan horse for controversial ideologies and political notions. In the effort to promote kindness and positive peer relationships, schools that teach SEL lessons often convey values and ideas that may conflict with the beliefs of families of faith. This is not surprising when one learns that SEL has its roots in New Age mysticism. These concerns have been magnified as now nearly 8 out of 10 schools implement SEL, and an increasing number of schools are seeking to implement SEL competencies into core classes such as math and science. Another concern involves the data collection on students within SEL programs, which alarms parents regarding potential privacy violations. Additionally, there is apprehension that SEL expects teachers to take on the role of therapists. Psychological probing by untrained individuals can negatively impact a child’s mental health and well-being, making it understandable why this aspect of SEL raises red flags for parents. To do a deeper dive into the problems with SEL go here, here, and here.

Does MA law define what counts as SEL? No. The MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) uses the definition put forward by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). CASEL states that SEL is the process through which young people and adults develop healthy identities, manage emotions, achieve goals, show empathy, build supportive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

Is SEL required in every MA school? No. While DESE is clear in its endorsement of SEL, and every school is encouraged to integrate SEL competencies into the curriculum, there is no MA law requiring schools to do so. However, if a school committee has voted to adopt the Safe and Supportive Schools Framework per MGL 69:1P(a), the school is then required to integrate services and initiatives that address students’ behavioral health, including SEL. Also, certain state and federal grants might reference SEL as a requirement, so if a school accepts a grant that requires SEL instruction, they are obligated to fulfill the terms of the grant.

Does MA law dictate how schools required to implement SEL do so? No. The law does not require that any school purchase a prepackaged SEL curriculum, and it does not require that SEL be integrated throughout the school day. DESE provides a Safe and Supportive Schools (SaSS) Self-Reflection Tool and SaSS Implementation Guide for use by schools that follow the SaSS framework, but there is no penalty for SaSS schools that choose to implement SEL in a limited manner. How and when to implement a SEL program is entirely the decision of the administration and school committee.

Is SEL expressly covered under the MA Opt Out law? No. Per MGL 71:32A, parents can opt their children out of any portion of the curriculum which primarily involves human sexual education or human sexuality issues. If an SEL lesson pertains to human sexuality issues such as instruction on gender identity, the opt-out law should apply to that lesson. Parents can also opt out of SEL-related surveys that contain topics covered by the PPRA. Neither of these laws creates a legal obligation for schools to opt a child out of all SEL lessons. However, no MA law states that a school may NOT opt a child out of SEL and a school always has the option of honoring a parent’s request.

Why do so many schools adopt SEL programs? SEL is marketed as a way to improve student behavior and outcomes, making it attractive to administrators and school committees, particularly in an educational environment where many students face challenges related to learning, mental health, and behavioral issues. It is pushed at the state level by DESE, by the federal Department of Education, and in schools of education. SEL programs were also heavily funded by the American Rescue Plan, which provided $122 billion to K-12 schools for expenses related to reopening post-pandemic, including SEL programs. SEL is also appealing to schools that have integrated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles into their strategic plans, as CASEL promotes a specific program called Transformative SEL which focuses on creating “equitable settings” and a “justice-oriented” school.

What should concerned parents do about SEL? Learn everything they can about SEL (these webinars and this page are a great place to start) and then ask their local district these questions:

  • Is the district implementing SEL lessons or an SEL program with students? If so, how is SEL being integrated into student instruction.
  • What curriculum is used, and how much did it cost?
  • How much time does SEL take out of the school day?
  • How was the decision to implement and prioritize SEL made?
  • What metric does the district plan to use to assess the efficacy of its SEL programs?
  • Does the SEL program being used contain content that falls under the sex ed or surveys opt-out provisions?

Parents should review the SEL curriculum being used in their child’s school, including individual lessons. If some of the content or related surveys fall under the opt-out laws, parents should exercise their right to opt their student(s) out whenever they can.

While the opt-out law does not force schools to remove kids from all SEL lessons, parents can (and should) ask these questions and use what they learn to make the case to their school committee for why the district should opt out of SEL altogether.

An SEL program is not necessary to teach and affirm positive traits like kindness, fairness, and respect. And when it comes at the expense of parental rights and smuggles in progressive ideology, it’s not worth the tradeoff. Kids deserve, and parents should demand, a renewed focus on education, not indoctrination.

If you have legal questions about SEL and the opt-out law, contact Massachusetts Liberty Legal Center. Also, visit the OPT OUT page of the MFI website to learn more and for sample opt-out letters.

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